E body, converting manual steering column to power steering column

[KillerBee]

Well finally the wife has expressed an interest in getting her 71 R/T Challenger back on the road this summer. Her dad passed away about a year ago and it really had us all down for awhile. He restored the Challenger back in the 90's and gave it to the wife as a gift because 1971 was the year she was born. The car still looks fantastic but I would like to upgrade the engine and transmission and get it a little more driver friendly for the wife to enjoy.
The car currently has it's original non power steering setup which I would like to convert to a Firm Feel Stage 2 or 3 power steering setup.
I figure I would purchase one of their steering boxes, are they also the best place to get the power steering pump?

What is the best way to do the power steering conversion? I've seen some posts in the past but never got any real good or complete answers.
I've seen some people mention the original non power steering column can be converted to the shorter power steering setup but how is it done and is it safe? The current non power column in the car is in nice condition but would I better to buy a rebuilt correct power steering column?

Thanks in advance for any advice and/or suggestions.

[ted]

you will need to change the steering column.

[Chryco Psycho]

you will need the shorter inner shaft for the column ,not sure where to source that from
for the power steering pump is probably better to use the Saginaw pump & brackets they are easier to get nothing else is hard , you can get the pitman arm & hoses

[hemiken]

What a great decision to get it going again, and what an extremely beautiful looking car.  Good luck with your conversion.

[ShelbyDogg]

KillerBee,
On most of the cars that I converted to power steering, I was able to collapse the longer column to the shorter power steering length.  The column telescopes like shortening an antenna. You just have to install the coupler on the end with a smaller hole for the power steering box.    One less thing that you have to buy to convert it.

Rob

[Chryco Psycho]

Not nessisarily the best or correct way but it can be collapsed , it will break the nylon shear pins doing it this way

[nivvy]

not to hijack the thread but I wanna go to manual... you guys saying I need a new steering column

[Chryco Psycho]

why not work out a swap with killer bee Stroker

[ShelbyDogg]

you guys saying I need a new steering column

I'm saying that you'll just have to extend your column to make it reach the manual box.  In your case, you'll have to change your coupler to the larger splined hole. 

Don't worry about the nylon friction pins, the coupler's u-joint pin is there to lock it all together. The coupler's blocks should be centered in the coupler housing anyway and should never bottom out or hit the pin.

[Chryco Psycho]

Firm feel has an adapter to extend the column

[KillerBee]

Thanks for the responses.

So how do I collapse the shaft? Hit it with a hammer?
If i can get it collapsed then I don't need to install any new plastic pieces in the shaft/column to keep it in place?
I just need the power steering coupler which has a smaller sized hole for the roll pin like this?

[ShelbyDogg]

Try driving out the large roll pin, then drive 2 large screwdrivers between the coupler and steering box, like you're trying to separate them. If is the telescoping type, it will push in towards the firewall.   If you have the column out, stand it up on the floor on the steering wheel, and tap it down with a 2x4.

There are some columns that DON"T collapse.  Most of the ones that I've owned did (around 10), one didn't.
Rob

[KillerBee]

So if I'm able to collapse the shaft I will need a new coupler for the power steering box.
In looking at the prices on new Mopar power steering couplers and the rebuild kits I think it might be best to go with the Flaming River U joint coupler.

If I can use my current column the money I save would pay for the Flaming River joint.
Will it work?

Thanks.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=FLA%2DFR1506P&N=700+115&autoview=sku

[ShelbyDogg]

It wouldn't work for your application. That joint fits on to the splined Flaming river column, then the splined PS box.  Look for a used coupler here on the WANTED section.  They are everywhere.  You just need the outside housing and seal cover for a Power Box, as shown in your picture above. Maybe you guys can trade like Chryco said.

[Chryco Psycho]

Honestly what I would be doing is removing the inner shaft from both columns & swap with stroker , yuo both need what the other has